The Impact of Sleep Cycle on Anxiety and Depression in Teenagers

Abstract

Adolescence is a pivotal stage of human development characterized by significant emotional, physiological, cognitive, and social transformations. It is during this period that the foundations of adult mental health are established, and as such, any disruption in the factors influencing adolescent well-being can have long-term consequences. One of the most critical yet frequently overlooked components of adolescent health is sleep. Mounting evidence suggests that disruptions in sleep cycles — whether due to biological, behavioral, or environmental factors — are closely linked to the increasing prevalence of mental health disorders in teenagers, particularly anxiety and depression.

The adolescent brain undergoes a natural shift in circadian rhythms, causing a delay in melatonin production that makes it difficult for teens to fall asleep early. Despite this biological change, societal expectations such as early school start times, academic workload, and extracurricular obligations demand that adolescents wake early. This mismatch between their internal clocks and external demands creates what researchers call "social jetlag," leading to chronic sleep deprivation. The consequences of this sleep loss extend far beyond fatigue, with numerous studies linking it to emotional dysregulation, impaired cognitive functioning, and an increased vulnerability to psychological disorders.